90 Bikes Given Away at Third Bike Rodeo

Chester’s third Bike Rodeo took place this past weekend. Its new location, Eyre Park, was a resounding hit with attendees taking part in cycling lessons, bike loans, a delicious dinner and a bike raffle that sent 90 freshly tuned bicycles into the community courtesy of the event’s supporters (see below).

Eyre Park, adjacent to Chester High School on West 9th Street and surrounded by the Chester Creek Trail, was the perfect spot for the event. With its wide paved surfaces, connection to the Circuit Trails, and bikes of every size on hand, beginners and experienced cyclists had plenty of opportunity and space to ride. Event organizers encouraged attendees to plan to return to Eyre Park and the adjacent multi-use trail often, and to spread the word that it is a lovely, peaceful place to spend time enjoying nature.

Eyre Park has an interesting history and a promising future. It is currently being revitalized thanks in part to a generous grant from the Circuit Trails Coalition Community Grant Program, funded by the William Penn Foundation and administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). When the Chester Creek trail is completed, Eyre Park is poised to become a popular resource for all of Delaware County. It will be connected to points as far north as the Wawa Train Station and to the Chester Waterfront, and it will be an important node in the Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails across nine counties in Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. The trail network, which will cover 800+ miles once complete, connects urban, suburban, and rural communities, providing endless opportunities for recreation, relaxing, and commuting. 

Two beneficiaries of this grant partnered to make the Bike Rodeo happen: The 9th Street Youth & Community Center, Environmental Youth Corps Program supports tree plantings, tending and maintenance as well as a variety of other Eyre Park assets. Youth Development United provides opportunities for youth and families to enjoy healthy choices including cycling.

The Bike Rodeo was also supported by a number of other organizations:

  • The City of Chester supported use of the space and loaned out sawhorses for traffic management. Councilman Stefan Roots represented the City and shared his experience at the event on his blog, Chester Matters.

  • Boeing held an employee bike drive, collecting 43 bikes, and contributed funds to cover storage of the bikes prior to the event.

  • Widener University supplied free bike helmets for all riders, and, under the leadership of Victoia Rossi, rallied many students to volunteer in a variety of critical functions. Widener volunteers included Ava, Caroline Salisbury, Cory Rowlands, Elena Foster, Emily Kochanowicz, Erica Bates, Erin Levy, Gabriella Rossi, Jaycie Kallish, LaToya Weatherly, Luke Barnum, Maddie Ives, Mary Grace Deplato, Michelle Roten, Morgan Goldsmith-Capps
    Victoria Rossi and Yuni Thornton.

  • Swarthmore Recreation Association provided free t-shirts for all attendees.

  • Swarthmore Hardware donated bungee cords for bike raffle winners to use to secure their new bikes in vehicles on the trip home.

  • James Bergman of Bike Delco, Emilia Crotty of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Barron Lacy of the 9th Street Youth & Community Center, and Patrick Monahan of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia played many critical roles in making the event a success.

  • Tyler Ewell, Nick Kaplinsky and Mike Minor tuned donated bikes to ensure safe riding.

  • Aly Strigle of the Delaware County Community Traffic Safety Project led the effort to properly fit helmets on riders.

  • Brittani Hales and colleagues hosted a table representing the Delaware County Planning Department, while Ira Josephs hosted a table for the Friends of the Chester Creek.

  • The Salvation Army distributed thousands of dollars worth of free new clothing at the event, coordinated by Amanda Johnson.

  • Delco residents Colton Anckaitis, Tamia Cottman, Adelyn Davis, Clara Davis, Erin Ewell, Yolanda Jackson, Eve Miari, the Molloy family, Scott Shelley, Samantha Spector, Kim Schmucki, the Taub Family and Roland Taylor volunteered in meaningful ways.

  • Special thanks to the Hulnicks and the Kesher Israel Congregation community of West Chester who held a very successful bike collection.

  • Party Rentals by Downs gave a discount on table and chair rentals, while Sassy Sandwiches food truck, Just Pizza and the Swarthmore Co-Op provided a non-profit rate for the communal dinner and fresh fruit enjoyed by all.

Representatives of Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods were also on hand at the event, and after the conclusion of the raffle, took the remaining bikes for use in its important work supporting the community. Some of the bikes will be raffled off at the following events, in partnership with Making a Change Group:

10/29/2023, 4P – 8P Chester Police Dept. Halloween Trunk or Treat, 160 E. 7th Street, Chester

10/31/2023 5P – 8P Infinite Men of Honor Trunk or Treat at Vittles, 801 Sproul St, Chester

10/31/2023 , 5P – 7P Chester Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat in Chester Park, 298 E. Elkington Blvd., Chester

Youth Development United is very grateful to all its partners and supporters, and looks forward to hosting Chester’s fourth Bike Rodeo in the early spring. Click here to get involved!

The bike helmet station was a critical and well-staffed area.

Emilia Crotty trained volunteers on teaching new riders.

Jeannine Anckaitis called out winning raffle numbers as attendees finished dinner.

Winners of all sizes were glad to take home new bikes.

T-shirts provided by Swarthmore Recreation Association were appreciated.

Salvation Army had plenty of takers for its clothing giveaway.

Jeannine Anckaitis